Intra-organizational use of communication tools in value nets - Cases from the ICT industry

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvitt���� sis��isen kommunikoinnin tilannetta case-yrityksiss��. Yritykset kuuluvat kahteen case-arvoverkostoon, jotka toimivat informaatio- ja kommunikaatioteknologian alalla. Sis��inen kommunikointi valittiin tutkimusalueeksi, koska se muodostaa perustan ulkoiselle, yritysten v��liselle kommunikoinnille. Tutkimuksen painopiste oli web-pohjaisessa kommunikoinnissa ja webin ominaisuuksissa arvoverkoston n��k��kulmasta. Tutkimusprosessissa k��ytettiin sek�� kvalitatiivisia ett�� kvantitatiivisia menetelmi��. Tutkimuksen kvantitatiivinen osa toteutettiin web-kyselyn��, jonka tulokset osoittivat, ett�� case-yritysten sis��inen kommunikointi perustuu p����asiassa perinteisten kommunikointiv��lineiden k��ytt����n. Toisin sanoen, webin hy��dynt��minen on v��h��ist��, mihin vaikuttavat monet eri tekij��t. Webiss�� on kuitenkin useita ominaisuuksia, jotka parantavat kommunikointia arvoverkostossa ja siksi n��m�� web-pohjaiset v��lineet tulisi huomioida, kun suunnitellaan yleist�� kommunikointij��rjestelm����. Tutkimuksen teoreettisessa osassa m����riteltiin vuorovaikutteisuus-ominaisuuteen perustuva kommunikointiv��lineiden luokittelu. T��m��n lis��ksi m����riteltiin my��s arvoverkoston k��site. Empiirinen osa koostui web-kyselyn toteutuksen ja tulosten raportoinnista, jonka j��lkeen yhteenvetokappale koosti merkitt��vimm��t havainnot sek�� mahdolliset jatkotutkimusaiheet.

Describing innovative business models and evaluating their wealth potential ��� Cases Stora Enso and E-bay

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli analysoida liiketoimintamalleihin liittyvi�� teorioita ja erilaisten mallien pohjalta rakentaa selke�� teoria, jota yritykset voivat k��ytt���� m����ritelless����n ja analysoidessaan liiketoimintamalleja. Tutkimuksen kohteena olleet yritykset voitiin jaotella sis��isesti fokusoituneisiin ja ulkoisesti suuntautuneisiin. Jaottelun pohjalta oli mahdollista tehd�� johtop����t��ksi�� koskien liiketoimintamallien potentiaalia. Tutkimus oli luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen. Tutkimuksen tuloksena on liiketoimintamallien rakentamiseen ja analysointiin sopiva ty��kalu, jota voidaan k��ytt���� yrityksen strategisessa suunnittelussa.

Intellectual Property Protection in China in the Cases of Outsourcing and own Manufacturing

The intellectual property (IP) environment in China is still very immature. There are several problems in legal, political, economic, social-cultural, competitive and labor environment which have hindered IP legal enforcement. Under such circumstances, IP misappropriation is a major concern especially for foreign small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) doing business in China. These circumstances require foreign companies, no matter whether they are multinational corporations (MNCs) or SMEs and have own manufacturing in China or not, to take strong IP actions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to discuss how IP can be protected in China in the case of outsourcing and in the case of own manufacturing. The comparison will consider the process of outsourcing and own manufacturing consisting two stages: preparation stage and operation stage. In order to clarify the conceptual arguments, two illustrative case studies were studied. The case data bases on two semi-structured interviews of the managing directors, field notes and archival data. The findings propose that attention in IP protection should be given to following issues: integrating IP strategy into the company���s business strategy, protecting the most critical knowledge, regarding IP steps as a whole in the protection mechanism and making IP strategy as proactive as possible. The major difference between outsourcing and own manufacturing in IP protection is in the operation stage. Besides, the findings also provide managerial advice on IP protection, e.g. foreign managers should be prepared for IP risks in China, they should establish an own IP protection mechanism which matches the company���s situation and they should consider IP protection as an on-going process.

���Why share in uncertain conditions?��� Factors of individual level knowledge sharing in offshoring cases

The objective of this Master���s Thesis was to research factors influencing and enhancing individual level knowledge sharing in offshore projects which often involve uncertainty of the knowledge provider���s own future. The purpose was to understand why individuals are willing to share their knowledge under these kinds of circumstances. In addition the goal was to identify obstacles to interpersonal knowledge sharing in order to understand how to mitigate their influence. The research was conducted as a qualitative multiple case study in a global IT company, and the data was gathered using semi-structured personal theme interviews within two different offshore projects. In order to a gain a wider perspective on the matter, some management representatives were interviewed as well. Data was analysed with the inductive content analysis method. Results of the study indicate that individuals are willing to share their knowledge despite of uncertainty if they are motivated, if they are provided with opportunities to do so, and if they have skills, competence and experience to share their knowledge. A strong knowledge sharing culture in the organization or team also works as a strong incentive for individual level knowledge sharing. The findings suggest that even under uncertain conditions it is possible to encourage people to share their knowledge if uncertainty can be decreased to a bearable level, a robust and personal connection and relationship between the knowledge provider and acquirer can be created and suitable opportunities for knowledge sharing are provided. In addition, based on the results the support and commitment of management and HR in addition to favourable environmental circumstances play an essential role in building a bridge between the knowledge provider and acquirer in order to create a virtual environment and space for knowledge sharing: Ba.

Consumer online communication of corporate social responsibility in the sin industry context: Cases in the global online gambling industry.

So-called sin industries are often related to harmfulness, unethical business, and unproductiveness. Nowadays, the alcohol, gambling, and tobacco industries are most often considered to be part of sin industries, which is also the context of this study. However, the definition of a sin industry is always related to time and culture. Despite the controversies of sin industries, there are studies that have shown that corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement is even more important for sin industries than for normal industries and that CSR has a positive effect on firm value in sin industries. With CSR this study refers to an ideology where company takes mostly voluntary actions towards various groups of stakeholders and the environment. In other words, the company goes beyond the legal norms and regulations. In particular, the purpose of this thesis is to find out how companies, operating in the online gambling industry, communicate about their CSR actions to consumers at their web pages. The online environment is essential for this study as online gambling environment is a source of many controversies in comparison to the traditional gambling halls and casinos. These include, for example, greater accessibility, anonymity, and availability of the service. This study uses qualitative textual analysis as its approach, more precisely the discourse analysis. In addition, as this study focuses on large international companies and their actions, also case study approach will be presented. The cases studied are Mybet, Unibet, and Bwin.Party. In order to study the subject, elements from discourse analysis are combined with insights of essential CSR theories, and the specific characteristics of the online gambling industry. As a background for the framework, this study uses the framework of Du & Vieira (2012). After analyzing the discourses of CSR communication and CSR practices, it seems that all of the case companies still do not use all the potential that the online environment provides in terms of CSR or stakeholder communication. There are large differences between different communication tools used at different web pages (gambling pages vs. corporation pages) and between the firms��� CSR profiles. Moreover, there are large differences in the CSR practices used in the web pages of the case companies. The findings of this study are partially alarming as the case companies represent the largest companies in the industry. There are major varieties between the companies��� CSR communication and clear shortcomings in some parts of the online communication. Moreover, the trust of the consumer was broken in some places. If this is the standard that the biggest players in the industry have set with regards to CSR communication, it is probable that the smaller players are performing even worse. Moreover, the regulators are most likely concentrating on the larger companies, so the smaller companies might have fewer incentives and pressure to perform according to the regulations or exceeding the legislation. The conclusions of this thesis provide insights to managers, regulators, and scholars. Suggestions for future studies are provided as well.

Digital services development ��� cases of Finland and LIBER

The presentation of Kristiina Hormia-Poutanen in The National and University Library in Zagreb March 18, 2015.

Assessment of techno-economic use cases for small-scale island grids

The main objective of the study was to define the methodology for assessing the limits for application island grids instead of interconnecting with existing grid infrastructure. The model for simulation of grid extension distance and levelised cost of electricity has been developed and validated by the case study in Finland. Thereafter, sensitivities of the application limits were examined with the respect to operational environment, load conditions, supply security and geographical location. Finally, recommendations for the small-scale rural electrification projects in the market economy environment have been proposed.

Exploring two cases of Piano Teacher Education in Finland and Germany

Research about music instrument teacher education is scattered and fairly recent, especially in the European context. The purpose of this study was to explore two cases of piano teacher education programs at higher music education institutions, one in Finland, and one in Germany, to gain insights into the preparation of piano teachers for their professional working life. The aim was to identify issues for consideration in curriculum development of piano teacher education to enhance the teaching and learning of piano playing, and to ultimately increase musical practice and engagement among young learners. Nine semi-structured interviews with piano teacher educators, heads of program, other lecturers within the program, and student piano teachers in both cases were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Three main themes with subcategories emerged: (1) the organization of the piano teacher education program, such as the structure, the content, the learning environments provided, and the development mechanisms of the program; (2) the views on the piano teacher profession, the working environment and resulting requirements, including further education during professional life; and (3) the professional skills and teacher identity development of student teachers. While the supposed working environments and requirements of future piano teachers, the student teachers' development characteristics, and the content were found reasonably concurrent in both cases, the structure of the teacher education program, and the organization of learning environments presented notable differences. While the complete teacher qualification in the Finnish case was offered as option in the Bachelor and Master of Music program within the piano department, the German case offered a separate program for music instrument educators. Other main differences concerned the organizations of practical teaching experiences, and the linking of practical with theoretical pedagogy. Conviction and enthusiasm for improving piano and other music instrument teacher education seemed remarkable. These improvements could include the development of a comprehensive teacher education pedagogy for music instrument teacher educators, intensified cross-linking within and of higher music education institutions in local contexts, and the expansion of professional development opportunities.

Small teleoperated vehicles: study of potential use cases and empirical prototyping

This thesis researches the current state of small teleoperated devices, the need for them and developing one. Small teleoperated devices give the possibility to perform tasks that are impossible or dangerous for humans. This work concentrates on small devices and cheap components and discloses one way of developing a teleoperated vehicle, but not necessarily the optimal way. Development and the current state of teleoperation were studied by a literature review, in which the data was searched from literature as well as from the Internet. The need for teleoperated devices was mapped through a survey, where 11 professionals from variating fields were interviewed how they could utilize a teleoperated devices and with what kind of features. Also, a prototype was built as a proof of concept of small teleoperated devices. The prototype is controlled by a single-board microcomputer that also streams video to the controlling device. The video can be viewed on a display or with a head mounted display.